A new report from the Congressional Budget Office says that increasing the national minimum wage to $10.10 would cause the loss of 500,000 jobs but would raise earnings for about 16.5 million low-wage workers.
The report also states that 900,000 fewer people would live below the poverty line. President Obama and many Congressional Democrats argue that raising the minimum wage from $7.25/hour would reduce income inequality.
Critics say that the consequences of increasing the minimum wage, including unemployment, outweigh the benefits, and argue that focusing on creating jobs should be the top priority.
In its report, the CBO laid out two plans for raising the minimum wage, including a lower-impact solution that would bring hourly wages to $9 and hour. The President and Democrats support the $10.10/hour wage.
Does a higher minimum wage put an undue burden on job creators and business owners? How might workers be impacted by higher wages? How will consumers fare?
David Neumark, Chancellor's Professor of Economics and Director, Center for Economics & Public Policy, Department of Economics, UC Irvine
David Cooper, Economic Analyst and minimum wage expert at the Economic Policy Institute (EPI)